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Latino group questions lack of diversity in NMSU presidential candidates

By Lindsey Anderson / landerson@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
04/23/2013 07:53:18 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES — One of the five New Mexico State University presidential candidates is Hispanic in a state and university where nearly half of the population identifies as Latino.

Elsa Murano, a former Texas A&M University president, is also the only female candidate, up against four white men.

"If a thorough search is conducted, you would certainly end up with many more than just one finalist who is Hispanic," said Ralph Arellanes, director of the New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens.

The group this week expressed concerns about the lack of diversity among the finalists, submitting a resolution to the university's Board of Regents.

The regents ultimately select the president.

LULAC's resolution demands regents continue to search for candidates that better reflect local and state demographics.

"For too long we haven't had the kind of representation that is necessary," Arellanes said.

No permanent president appears to have been of Hispanic descent, though interim presidents William Flores, Waded Cruzado and Manuel Pacheco are.

"That's uncalled for, for a land-grant university," Arellanes said.

LULAC said it was not included in NMSU's search or selection process as it was during the University of New Mexico presidential search in 2011.

Latino activists pushed for UNM to select Murano for that presidency, though Bob Frank won the spot.

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The group also requested a meeting with the regents and other local Hispanic organizations and leaders to form a community advisory committee for presidential searches.

Regent Ike Pino said LULAC appeared to have missed the statewide public forums the NMSU regents held last fall. Community members mentioned a number of desired qualities during the sessions: previous presidential experience, familiarity with land-grant universities, legislative know-how, local ties. Diversity was occasionally mentioned, though it wasn't a top request, he said. The regents then passed on those requests to the presidential search committee.

"More than signaling out one particular thing, we asked for a few qualities," he said.

A Hispanic president could serve as a mentor and role model to the university's Hispanic students, Arellanes said, adding that President Barack Obama is an inspiration to the black community.

"When I see only one (Hispanic candidate) making the finalist list, it gives the impression of tokenism as opposed to a good strong effort for more diversity," he said.

NMSU junior and president of the university's Hispanic Council Jeneva Jio said her concern is whether non-diverse candidates would support minority students and advance NMSU's land grant mission.

"Diversity isn't necessarily on any of their minds," she said.

Pino disagreed with the idea that a Hispanic president is required to advance diversity and support mission.

"You don't necessarily need a diverse president to carry it out, but you do need someone who's well-spoken, knowledgeable and knows how to bring shareholders to the table — all of that plays into supporting diversity," he said.

Other campus representatives agreed candidates' ethnicity and gender aren't as important as their dedication to minority students.

"While it would be great to have a Hispanic president, it's more important to have a president who supports Hispanic students and faculty and staff, as well as other underrepresented minorities, low-income and first-generation students," said Laura Gutierrez Spencer, director of NMSU's Chicano Programs.

Roberta Stathis, vice president of NMSU's Women's Club, said the university primarily needs a leader to move the school forward.

"It's always a little disappointing when you don't have a lot more diversity in a pool" of candidates, she said. "But ultimately, my allegiance is to meritocracy."

Murano will visit NMSU for interviews and forums April 28. A public forum is scheduled for April 29 at 4 p.m.

Lindsey Anderson can be reached at 575-541-5462. Follow her on Twitter @l_m_anderson